Rep. Hutchinson

Rep. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, joined other local legislators this week to support a package of bills that promote traditional, as well as, viable renewable resources as part of Pennsylvania's energy future.

"Pennsylvania families are struggling to afford the rising cost of energy as gasoline and electricity prices continue to increase," said Rep. Hutchinson. "To help make Pennsylvania more energy independent, we must continue to use our existing indigenous resources including oil, natural gas and coal, as well as viable renewable alternatives that make sense for Pennsylvanians.

"It is important that Pennsylvania become more self-reliant by encouraging further development of our local natural resources," he added. "This need could not be more evident than here today in Venango County as we gather at the world's first commercial oil well, Drake Well."

The House Republican Caucus has introduced legislation as part of the Special Session on Energy that would focus on investing in energy conservation, increasing our homegrown energy production and reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources in order to lower energy costs to consumers.

Special Session House Bill 32 would require the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to conduct a competitive public auction for the exploration and development of natural gas reserves.

The legislation would also require DCNR to allow pipeline and gathering line right-of-way across state lands to ensure that the natural gas developed on adjacent lands can be delivered to the market in a cost-effective manner.

Under this legislation, half of the state's proceeds from this new drilling will be used to finance weatherization programs so that low-income families and senior citizens can better insulate their homes and reduce their electricity bills.

DCNR announced steps in April to lease up to 75,000 acres for natural gas drilling in State Forests. (4/7/08 Pa Environment Digest)

"We believe that this new drilling can be done in an unobtrusive, environmentally sound manner without adversely affecting Pennsylvania's wildlife," said Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford). "By increasing our natural gas supply, we can work to lower electricity prices at peak-demand times."

Special Session House Bill 37 would authorize a $3 per ton tax credit for coal mined within the Commonwealth. To qualify for the tax credit, the coal must be delivered to coal-fired electric generation units in Pennsylvania that has installed proper pollution equipment to control emissions. This bill only offers tax credits to coal facilities that meet federal and state emissions requirements.

"Currently, 55 percent of Pennsylvania's energy is derived from coal," said Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-Armstrong). "Clean coal processes are being implemented currently and will be expanded in the future. Instead of rejecting coal as a 'dirty' resource, we must realize we can produce energy from coal in an environmentally friendly way."

A third piece of legislation, Special Session House Bill 55, would promote the planting of switchgrass and other bioenergy crops on reclaimed coal mine sites.

"We realize that any energy strategy must contain a mix of existing indigenous energy resources as well as new cost-effective renewable energy products," said Rep. Michele Brooks (R-Lawrence). "With the cost of energy on the increase, we need to take advantage of the opportunities right here in Pennsylvania that are available to us now. By using these crops in the production of cellulosic ethanol, Pennsylvania will be at the forefront of the biofuels industry."

Sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren), the final piece of legislation would provide grant funding for the Fuels for Schools and Beyond Program. This new program would allow schools to convert their traditional heating systems to utilize proven biomass heating technologies.

"By providing our public schools with the necessary financial resources to replace existing fuel oil heating systems with biomass heating technology, we can dramatically help them lower their energy costs," said Rep. Rapp. "In the even larger picture, promoting greater reliance on biomass products, such as low-grade timber that are not used for the production of other goods, will also further sustain and create jobs in the local forestry and agriculture industries which remain critical to generating continued economic growth throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania."

For more information, visit the House Republican Energy for Pennsylvania webpage.

Links: House Catches Up to Senate in Passing Renewable Energy Bill, Funding

Senate Passes Alternative Energy Investment, Biodiesel Mandate Bills

5/23/2008